Variation of the critical power model parameters in response to kayak training

Abstract

This study proposed to verify the sensibility of the critical power model parameters in response to training load variation during a kayaking competitive season. Eleven young male kayakers participated of this study. They were evaluated at the end of each of three mesocycles, as follows: (M1) characteristically aerobic; (M2) characteristically aerobic-anaerobic and; (M3) characteristically anaerobic and velocity, just before competition. Critical velocity (CV) and kayaking anaerobic capacity (ACkayak) were estimated from the results of three distance tests (500, 1,000 e 1,800 m) covered in the minimal possible time. The ACkayak did not change after the three mesocycles (M1: 91.4 ± 32.0 m; M2: 89.,0 ± 50.8 m e; M3: 74.0 ± 44.2 m). In contrast, CV improved from M1 (3.19 ± 0.28 m.s-1) to M2 (3.33 ± 0.28 m.s-1), and became stable in M3 (3.32 ± 0.19 m.s-1). The results indicated that CV is sensible to training effects, and it can be used to control for aerobic training adaptations.